Sometimes, when talking to a seller, either after an open house or when reviewing an offer we received, they start to ask questions about the buyers:

Are the married?

Do they have kids?

Where do they work?

How much money do they make?

Are they "X"? (insert race or religion here)

My answers?

I don't know/don't care

I don't know/don't care

I don't know/don't care

I don't know/don't care

I don't know/don't care

Usually, they realize that the questions were silly and that they were just being curious or even a bit nosey.

Sometimes, they'll respond, "But you have to know."No, I don't. And neither do they.

Are they married? Doesn't matter. We don't discriminate.

Do they have kids? Doesn't matter. We don't discriminate.

Where do they work? Doesn't matter. Why on earth would that matter?

How much money do they make? Doesn't matter. We don't discriminate. But we do make sure we know if their mortgage broker has fully pre-approved them for their financing and whether or not they qualify. And we demand a pre-approval letter from that mortgage broker. That's all we need to know.

Are they "X"? I've been asked this only a handful of times throughout the years. I refuse to answer. Don't know/don't care. And, now I need to determine whether or not I choose to continue to work with you as my client. If "X" is important to you, then we are not meant to work together.

Fair Housing laws exist for a reason - because there is discrimination in this world. It's unfortunate, but it is true. We do not discriminate when buying or selling houses. No one should.

However, if you have a question, feel free to ask.In the worst case scenario, your questions will give us a wonderful opportunity to discuss Fair Housing laws - a topic I hold near and dear to my heart.